Power earth mover



May 29, 1945.

c. E. PATTERSON POWER EARTH MovER, l

6 sheets-sheet 2 Filed July 24, 194:5 l

FWN mom May 29, 1945. c. E. PATTERsQN 2,376,979

POWER EARTH MovER Filea' July 24, 194s 6 sheets-smeet 3 May 29,- 1945 c.E. 'PATTERSON POWER EARTH MOVER e sheetssheet 4 Filed July 24, 194s uw Wm m CECIL E. PATTEESN,

- ATT'Y IIO May 29, 1945'.

` C. E. PATTERSON POWER EARTH MOVER Filed July 24, .1943

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 /NVE/vT/Q I.- CECIL E. PATTESON,

HTT'Y May 29, 1945. c. E. PATTERSQN PowER EARTH MovER yFiled .July 24,1943I 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Cscn. EBvTERwN,

ATTY A Patented May 29, .1945

osi-lcs POWER EARTH MOVER Cecil E. Patterson, McKeesport; Pa., assignorto The Galion Iron Works & Manufacturing Company, a corporation of @liloApplication July 24, 1943, Serial No. 496,060

(Cl..3Z-ll26) 1o claims.

My invention relates to earth movers of the type which gathers earthfrom the ground surface and carries such gathered material to otherplacesV where it is to be unloaded and spread for lling in or buildingup purposes, and one of the objects of my invention is the provision ofimproved and eilicient apparatus of this type.

yAnother object of the invention is the provision of improved mechanismfor carryingvthe front end of an earth moving bowl on a steering 'wheelunit and carrying the rear end of the earth moving bowl on a supportingunit and associating with such units adjusting mechanism to facilitatethe operation of the machine in gathering, hauling and spreadingmaterial.

A further object of the invention isl the provision of improved steeringmechanism for an earth mover, one end of which is carried by a steeringwheel unit and the other end of which is carried by a supporting unit. 7

Another object rof the invention is the pro` vision of a power operatedunit combined with surface.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a self-propelledearth mover having a ground cutting blade, combined with pushingmechanism for engagement by,a separate tractor, so that after materialhas been gathered byl deep cuts with the help of the separate tractorthe self-propelled earth mover may be used alone for hauling andspreading purposes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved andefiicient supporting contion to be engaged by the ejector to`facilitatel restoration of the latter to initial position.

Another object of the invention is the provision .of an improved andeiiicient hydraulic system for earth movers including hydraulicreciprocating motors for tilting an earth receiving bowl, forcontrolling a gate associated with nections between the rear end of anearth moving bowl and a supporting unit including means for tilting thebowl without materially tilting thesupporting unit.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved pushingconnections between a power traction unit and an earth moving bowl inadvance of the same.

Hsuch receiving plate during an ejecting operation,V

and associated with lateral abutments in posi- .a front opening in thebowl. for operating an ejector in the bowl, and for operating thesteering wheel-unit.

More particularly it is the objectl of the invention to lprovideimproved and efilcient hydraulic reciprocating motor mechanism on thefront end oi" the carrier of an earth mover, con- August, 2, 1940, foran improvement in Power.

earth mover.

Figs. 1 and v2 placed end to end, show'a side elevation of apower-operated earth mover embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the rear supporting unit shown inelevation in Fig. 2;

Figs. 3 and 4, placed end to end, show a plan view of the power-operatedearth mover; Fig. 5 is va side elevation similar to Figs. 1 and 2 placedendto end, but with the connec tions between the power tractor and thebowl frame in the relative positions which they occupy during thetransportation of the gathered material from place to place.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational view of` the steering head and thesteering mechanism mounted therein;

Fig. 'l is a sectional plan View taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the bell crank shown in vdotted linesat the lower left-hand corneroi Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on theline 0-9 of Fig. 8, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the hydraulic i motor mechanism foroperating the steering wheel `unit;

l shown in side elevation in'Fig. 10';

Fig.l12is 'a transverse section taken on the such axles.

imoi'flz'if-afz Fig. 1o, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. l13 is a sectional elevation taken on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 1,looking'in the direction of the arrows; and v Fig. 14 represents apiping diagram for the hydraulic apparatus used in making the variousadjustments including that -of the steering wheel unit.

Referring to Figs. l and 2 placed end to end and Figs. 3 and 4 placedendl to end, it will bev seen that designates the framework for the bowlor earth carrier comprising side plates 26, 26 the upper front cornersof which are connected by the cross-plates 21.- The rear ends of theside plates 26,126 are connectedV by the upright back plate 28 and rearupper cross-plate 29.

Extending entirely across the bowl framework between-the side plates 26,26 is a transverse scraperor cutting blade 36 secured rigidly to areinforcing plate 3l as shown in Fig. 1. Extending rearwardly from thescraper'or cutting blade 30 is a receiving plate or moldboard32. Thisreceiving plate 32 spa-ns the space between the inner wall's of the'side plates 26, 26 and extends lupwardly and rearwardly for connectionat tion unit would be an unstable tractor when disconnected from thebowl framework, means are provided for stabilizing the traction unit andeven y keeping the same substantially horizontal for the zov 28' to theupright back plate 28 which is an exvalves one forcontrolling each. pairof the hy- (0 draulic reciprocating motors, as hereinafter more i fullyexplained. The -bowl frame being entirely open at its top as shown-inFigs. 3 and 4 placed end to end, the operator from his station caneasily observe either the lling or the emptying of the earth carrier andtherefore operate the controls accordingly to secure efficiency both inI gathering the material and in spreading it. y

' The crank shaft of the internal combustion engine 42 is connected bymeans of a clutch to the variable speed transmission andthe latter inturn is connected through ya train of gearing in thetransfer case 49 tothe coupling member 145 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. By'means `ofuniversal joint 50 the coupling member 45 is various positions of thebowl framework relative to the ground surface, thus adding to thecomfort of the operator at his station duringall operations.

The internal apart parallel longitudinal beams shown indotted lines inFigs. 2, 4 and 5. spaced-apart vertical plates 62, rigidly secured tothe axle housing 51,

extend upwardly therefrom on the outer sides of the beams of the chassisframe 249. These plates are bolted at 52 to the outer sides of thesebeams. It will thus be seen that the axle housing 51 is rigidlyconnected to the chassis frame 249 to constitute rigidly connectedframework. This rigidly connected framework is mounted on the groundengaging traction wheels 36 to constitute 4a rear supporting unit forthe rear lend, of the earth carrier.

Rigidly connected to the axle housing 51 and extending forwardlytherefrom are two pairs of brackets 5B, 59 as illustrated in Figs. 2, 2and 4. Pivotally connected to the pairs of brackets 5B and 59 areforwardly and downwardly extending links 60 and 6l. As shown in Fig. 4,the pairs of brackets 58 and 59 are located in spaced-apart positionsalong the axle housing 51 and rigidly secured thereto. It will thus beseen that there are two spaced-apart parallel links 60, 60 and thebearings 1I.

connected to the coupling member 5| which in turn is connected to thedifferential transmission in the axle housing 51.

' Power is supplied to the axles in' the axle housing 51 and thencetothe ground engaging traction wheels 36 which aresecured to the ends of'I'he axle housing 51 of the power traction unit is preferably of steelsecured rigidly to the chassis frame of the internal combustion engine42.. Al-

' though the axle housing 51 may be inseetions,

these sections are rigidly bolted together. 'I'he axle housing I51 beingrigidly `secured'to the sup.

porting chassis frame for thel internal combustion engine, moves bodilywith the latter'when' tilted in either direction. For balancingpurposes, the engine is mounted on and over the axle two spaced-apartparallel links 6l, 6I havingv their rear ends pivotally connected to theaxle housing 51 and all extending forwardly and downwardly from thelatter when the transverse blade v30 is in the ground surface scrapingposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Each of the forwardly extending vlinks and 6I is provided with abranching arm 63 and 68, respectively, as shown in Fig. 4. The links 60and 6I together with their branching arms may each be of box-likeconstruction. The forward ends of the links 60, 60 are keyed to thetransverse shaft which is Frock shaft journaled in the bearings 66, 66an 61,` 61 secured to the back of the plate 28 shown in dotted line sideelel vation in Fig". 2.

In a similar mannerv the lower -linksa6'l, 6|

togetherA with their branch -arms are keyed to,

the rock shaft 69 (Fig. 2) whichis journaled lin The shafts 65 and 69serve as torsion shafts to stabilize theconnections between the axlehousing and the bowl frame.

The cutting blade 30 is preferably composed of sections 39' and 30"placed end to end as shown'in Fig. 3 with the middle section 30'extending'forwardly beyond the end sections 30".- By placing Figs. 3and` 4 end to end it will be'V seen that the tractor wheels 36, 36 trackinside of the ends of the ground cuttingelement 30.

While the intermediate section 30' makes a rela tively deep Cutfthe endsections 30 cut suitable pathways for the tractor wheels 36, I6.

This arrangement enables the tractor wheels to housing intermediate theends of the engine.-

preferably with the flywheel of the engine di rectly above the axle, andwhile the power tracavoid irregularities of the ground surface andvreduces to a minimum the transerse .tilting of the tractor unit. i i

In orderl that the earth mover shown in elevation in Figs. l and 2placed end td end and in plan in Figs. 3 and 4'placed endto"end, may besteered on av relatively short radius,` I have-provided a steering unit8l at the frontv centraal portion of the bowl frame. This steering wheelunit4 combustion engine is mounted on the chassis frame 249 whichcomprises spacedthe lower vend of the steering head -section 9|.

8| comprises a steering'post 82 'which is splined at its lower end tothe axle casting 83. Ihe lower j end 82 of the steering post 82 ispreferably conical, tapering downwardly as shown in Fig. 6. so

' that avnut 84 may be threaded onto th-lower extension 86. A washer 85is clamped against thereto.

The steering wheel unit 8| comprises two spaced-part ground -engagingwheels 81, 81. As

4shown in Fig. 3, the axle casting 83 has lateral extensions 83', 83 towhich are bolted at 255, 255

the stub axles 81', 81.', on the outer ends of whic are journaled thewheels 81, 81.

By means of opposing thrust bearings 88 and 89 the steering post 82 isJournaled to the steering head 98 which comprises a casing'having agoose neck shape as shown'in Fig. 6. This .casing is preferably in twosections 9| and 92 which are bolted together at 93 and 94. The rearsection 9| extends rearwardly and downwardly into an open space betweenthe inner ends of the front upper cross-piece sections 21, 21 of thebowl frame 25. The inner ends of the cross-piece sections 21, 21 tagainst the ilat parallel outside surfaces 9|', 9| l(Fig. 3). and arewelded thereto. It can readily been seen by referring to Fig. 6 that thecross-piece sections 21, 21 extend a substantial distance upwardly abovethe bottom plate 95 at 'I'he iront upper side of the bowl frame may beprovided with a cross-piece toreo-operation with the sections 21, 21 inconnecting the side plates 26, 26 of the bowl frame, leaving the spaceback of the cross-piece open, as' shown in Fig. 3, and leaving the spacebelow the cross-piece open between the side-plates 25 all the way to thetransverse cutting blade 38 when the rotating gate 98 is in itsuppermost position.

iis-.shown 1n Figs. s and 7, a. sprocket s1 is' keyed to the steeringpost 82 and adapted to be .connected by the'sprocket chain 98 to theguide segment 99, as shown in Fig. '1. Theiree ends ot the sprocketchain 98 4are connected to levers |88, |88 which are pivotedat |8|, tothe'guidesegment 89. By means of the set screws |82,|82 the slackin thesprocket chain 98 may b e adjusted and the set screws locked in adjustedposition b ymeans of the-nuts |83, |83.

ward end of the drag link |I9..

` bracket |23 as shown in Figs. land 13, Fig. 13

being a'section taken on line |3|3 ,of Fig. 1, looking in the directionof the arrows. iAs shown in Fig. 13, the lower end of the armi |2I'carries a ball The other arm |2I" ofthe bell crank |2I is connected by alball and socket joint |24 to the front end 'of the drag link |25, therear end of which is connected by means of the ball and socket joint at|26 to thelever |21 shown in dotted lines in Fig; 2. It should beunderstood that each of the vdrag links II8, ||9 and maybe adjusted inlength and held at adjusted length.

-.As shown in Figs.l3 and 4 'placed end to end, the steering mechanismfor the steering wheel unit 8| is extended along the left-hand side ofthe bowl frame because the steering wheel 43 ls locatedat the left-handside of the power trac- The steering post |28.of the manual steering'wheel 43 has secured to its lower end portion a worm which meshes witha worm wheel segment, the shaft of the latter being keyed to the leverarmv |21'. By manually turning the -wheel 43, the lever arm |21 may beswung forwardly or rear- .wardly to advance or retract the drag link |25and thus transmit movement through the various The guide segment 99 maybe splined or otherwise securedto the shaft |84 as by means of the setscrew 258, (Fig. 6). ment 99 is a rearwardly extending arm |81, onwhich. is mounted a ball |88 adaptecfto be con- Both of the plates 9|'are provided with openings Integral with the S68" nected tothe Adraglinklll which extends transsothatthedraglink Illmayextendthrough one of themand the rods |44, |49 through the other, while the correspmdingcross-piece section21actsasahoodtoprotecttheenclodportion ofthesteering' V'.l'liedraglink IIl may beadjustedastolcnathandmaybeAlockedinadjustedposition at H2.

As shown in'lg. 3, the draglink III extends vto the upper left-handcorner oi.' the top'or the bowl frame for ball and socketjoint-connection at Il: to the ben crank m wniehis pivoteaatns to sbracket ne to nieuwe 21, as ShUWn in Fis. 8.'118.'9 isatamonthelines-sorng.

connections to the drag link I8 tn eiect opration ofl the valvemechanism shown in Fig. 11 to control the hydraulic motor |29 which isoperatively connected to the steering Wheel .unit 8|.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 10, the ball |88 is secured to a`swinging arm|39 and a depending cup |38. Journaled on the outer cylindrical surfaceor the cup |30 is a cylindrical ring or strap |3| which tsfbetween theannular flange |32 of the cup, |38 an'd the circular bearing surroundingvthe 4upwardly extending cup |33.' that telescopesloosely into theinterior oflthe depending cup` |38. The cup' |33 is integral with theconnectork |34 which comprises vertically spaced journal bearings |35and |36 for receiving the upright- Apivotpinl31.v

The rear end ofthe arm |81 `(Fig. 8) is pro'- 'vided with a collar orring |38 the opening through which is adapted to` register with theopenings in the journal bearings |35, |38, to receive the pivot pin |31.l l

The depending cup |38 is integral with the arm |39, the front end ofwhich is provided with a .screw threaded opening to receive the bolt|48. LThis bolt serves asa pivot pin since it extends 'downwardlythroughthe journal bearing |4| car- -ried by the-arm |81. A'nut |42 isprovided to rigidly secure the bolt |48 to the arm |39 'and a lock nut|43 serves to keep the pivot bolt |48 from becoming detached from the.arm m. since the t inner diameter of the depending cup |38 is greaterthan tle outer diameter 0f 'the Upstandlng cup |33, the prm'l39 may havea limited l movement on the pivot |48 relatively to the oona Vpurposehereinafter fully ex--I` plaine'd.

iAs shown innig. 1o automating me lunas screw threaded ends secured toone,y

one` of l its *end Aof they cylinder of thehydraulicmotor |25 seal |55at the center of the plate |15 which' 1 is secured bymeans'oithe screws|1|, |1| to thesupply pressure acts on the pistons |12 and |15 in suieon vthe valve at this portion thereof. i The annular groove 52 isalwaysin communi;

and its other screw-threaded end secured to the connector 54. The screwthreads at the ends of the rod V|44 may, if desired, be right andlefthanded se that when rotated; the prohiberenees the lock nuts' |45and |41 maybe relied on to hold 10 the rod |44 in adjusted positionrelative to the connector |54 and The strap |3| is provided with aprotuberance |45 having a screw-threaded recess toreceive one 15screwthreaded end of the connecting rod |45, the

I other screw-threaded end of which extends into the screw-threaded cup|55 of the bar or yoke |5|. The endsfof the connecting `rod |45 may,

or bring closer together the strap |5| and the yoke o r bar |5|. Thelock nuts|52 and |55may be relied on to holdl the connection at adjustedlength.

The right-hand endV of the bar |5|v is. pivoted at |54 to the upper endofthe lever |55 which-in i turn is pivoted at |55v to the cylinder ofthe hydraulic motor |25. 'I'he lower-'end of the lever |55 is pivoted at.|51 to a link |55 which-in tum 30 is pivotedat |55 to the valve stem|55. Since -the pivot |56 is much nearer the pivot |55 than to the pivot|51, the shorter arm of the lever |55 Consequently the l relativelysmall movement permitted between the 35 cups |55 and |55 will beampliiled into -a much is connected to the -bar |5|.

|55 is provided with an intake or supply passage#- way |55 whichregisters with a supply port |55 on ene side of the valve bleek m. Theplate m is provided with an exhaust passageway m 45 1 which registerswith the exhaust port |55 on the other side oi the valve block |5 Thevalve stem |55 extends through the liquid The valve stem |55 is rigidlyconnected to the valve proper which comprises a; plurality ofcylindrical pistonsrigidly connected together and each iitting in thevalve cylinder. These pistons are 55- shown at |12, |15. |'|4and |15 inFig. 11. "nie, valve proper is hollow as indicated by the dotted.

' -linesns in this view. The ends er the minder interior are closed 'butradial openings v|11, m, ns. and m are provided.-

The redini openings designated' n1, m, andl |15 are locatedpetween the,pistons |12 and |15 in 'a valve of reduced diameter and spaced from thecylinder wall.\ These'radial openings "1,113, m ar'evelways incommunication with 5 Vthe circular-groove` 5| in the cylinder wall 'andthis circular groove .is always in communication C with the supply port|55 as shown in Fig. 12;- The opposite directions andedects'a 'balanced'pres-- i einen with the exhaustlpen mV but is in eomf v muniesaen withthe redini opening m'eniy when lev asvaovo "the: valve is vin neutralentiende shown in m'. 1'1. It will thus be seen-that when the .valve isthe 'cylinderof the hydraulic Y ered by the piston |14.

machinetotheleft .mi of themotor is thus by the greater' facility withwhich thesteering wheel unit may in neutral position a no load by-passwill be established between the supply and exhaust ports be cause theiiuid pressure medium will be free to pass from the supply port |55through the axi-A nular groove |8| and thence through the radialopenings |11, |15, |15 intothe cylindrical int'erior |15, out throughthe radial opening |55 into the annular groovef|52 and nally to theexhaust port |55. l 'f The hydraulic motor |25 comprises afpiston rod|55, the outer end of which is pivoted' at |54 to the bracket |55 asshown in F18. 10. This bracket is secured to one oflthe side plates 25as showninFlg. 3. 'I'he nuid pressure medium such as oil is-introducedinto the ends of the cylinder of thehy draulic motor |25 on `oppositesides of the piston if desired, be right and left-hand screw threaded 20to enable turningof the rod vto spread apart therein, by means of thelpipes |55, |51. when in Fig. 11, the radial openingl is moved intoposition to communicate with the annular` groove to which iii-connectedthe pipe |55 by means o f the ntting |55. At the same time the pipe |51is connected through the fitting |55 to theex haust port by way of theannular ,grooves |5| and l5! which are now uncovered-by the piston |15.

Whenfthe valve stem |55 is moved to the leit' as viewed in Fig. l11, theradial opening |55`is moved into position to communicate with theannular groove |5| which is connected to the pipe |51 by means of theiittlng |55. lAt the same time the pipe |55 is connected through the ntting |55 to the eghaust port by liuray oi the an` nular grooves |55 'and|52 which are new.uncov- It readily be seen `hir-referring tems. 3 and10 that when the @pressure supply is inthe pipe i5! and the exhaustthrough pipe |55, the

entire cylinder of the motor |25 will Vbe movedklngpostuwsteerthemachinetothel'lsht."

Whenthepressuresupplyisinthepipe |55'and the exhaust in the pipel51 thecylinderofthe so motor l25willbemovedtowardtherightthereby swingingthearmi51 anti-clockwise-tosteer Since the'rearuidof'thearmi" moves arcu-.siempremeter m swings laterally on the pivot |54aisaeenterslhe.isoftheptvotluisy preferably parallel to the axis of the'pivot'V |51"asshowninrigio. j l

Itshouldbe particularly noted thatthe steerwheel unit comprises twospaced-apart engaging wheels 51, 51 as shownin Pig.3

arrangement distributes the welghtpf the iront end of the machine andits load. so that wetendency ot the steering wheelfunit to'sink intosoft earth is-greatly moreover iteither wheelfgets into a rut theother'will enable it to roll out' ontoinore level ground. The eilicimcyByreterrlngtol'll.6.i5willbesemthatabolt" "t dem y bearing |36 so as tont in the annular groove inv the pivot pin |31. thus locking the lattervin I shown in Fig. 11.

its position'shown in Fig. 6.

The arm |39 is locked to the arm |01 by means of the bolt |40 and thenuts |4 2, |43, although free to swing relatively to thearm |01 on the.

upright axis of the bolt |40. The cup |30 'telescopes over the cup |33and thus the various parts are in interlocking relation although theymay be readily taken apart for repairs or replacements.

Ii desired, the rods |44 and |49 may be entirely detached. In that eventthe-steering mechanism' is entirely mechanical. f

The extent tol which thejwheel 43 may -be turned is limited by the lostmotion -between the cups |30, |33 (Fig. l0). However, the motor |29quickly responds upon operation of the valve.

mechanism shown in Fig. 11. However,the,valve mechanism automati llyrestores itself to neutral position as soon s the cylinder of the motor|29 moves a predetermined distance. stance, if the valve stem |60 ismoved to the left,

the valve blockV |6| will be moved to the left u ntil the pistons areagain in the relative -positions The valve mechanism is suspended fromand rigidly secured to. the cylinder of the hydraulic thus be seen thatwhen the valvestem |60 after motor |29 so as to move bodily with thelatter.

The side plates |63 and |64 are provided with upperend extensions |94,|94. By means ofcap screws |95', |95 passing through these extensionsthe whole valve mechanism unit is secured to the plates |96. |96 and theends ofthe latter by means of the cap screws |91, |91 are secured to the4brackets |98, |98 which arerwelded'to the cylinder ofthe motor |29.

As shown'in Fig. 1i, Ian enclosing cap |99 is secured by means o f thecap screws"200, 200 to that end of the valve block |6| remote from thevalve stem |60. Valve centering means com- V prisingaspring 20| islocated in the enclosing 43 to the extent permitted by the spacingbetween the cupsv |30 and |33, he does so ,against the action of thespring 20|. When theoperatorreleases the wheel 43 the spring t20| willauto nt in the cynnd'rical guide zur. Another exten- 4 sion 209 oireduced diameter' passes through an opening in the center of the plate202 and is prol vided with a head 2| 0 of larger diameter than A5 theopening in the plate 202. It will thus be seen that when the valve stemis moved tow'ard l the 'right as viewed in Fig. 11, the shoulder 205-will engage the plate 204 and compress the spring 20| against the platemi when the valve stem |60 is moved to the left, the head 2|0 will movethe -plate 202 to the left, thereby compressing the spring 20| while thering 204 rests against the adjacent end voi? the valve block |6|. Itwill of the hydraulic motors 2| 3 is a double acting hydraulic motor sothat the elector plate 33 may vbe moved forwardly in the bowl frame orrearwardly to its position shown in Fig. 2. The ejector 'plate' 33 isconnected by a pair of links'261 to brackets 2|5. The lower ends ofthese links are pivoted to the brackets2|6while the upper ends v larepivoted at 2|6 to the upper back portion of ejector plate 33. Therelative relation'between 'vpivot s.2| and 2 |6 is shown in dotted linesin sid elevation in Fig. 2.

`Itshould be particularly noted that the aforev t said links 261 projectupwardly and that therecap |99. Wheneverthe operator turns the wheelmatically move the valve pistons to their neutral positions shown inFig. 11 if not already there.

While movement of the cylinder of themotor |29 tends to-restore thevalve mechanism to neuv 4tral position the turning of the wheel 43 maybe continuous to counteract this tendency so that movementof thecylinder of theniotor |29 will likewise be continuous in accordancewith'the continued turning of the wheel 43. In other 5a l the shape of-a segment of a cylinder shown in The gate side plates 2|6 words. whilethe operation of tin steering wheel.

follow eachother so closely as to make the turnin'g of the steeringwheel unit one continuous movementv before stopping in positionfordesired steering of the machine. l r

The spring centering mechanism Ashown in Fig.

, unit 8| tends to be by increments, the latter may comprises a circularplate 202 which restsv lagainst an annular shoulder 203 on the interiorof the cap |99. `Another-circular plate 204 rests lagainst an annularshoulder 2060i the cylindrical block 206 and is' provided lwith acylindrical guide 201,` Thespring 20| is located between the plates 202and 204 and surrounds the cylindrical guide 201 as 'shown in Fig. 1l.

The cylindrical block 206 is screw-threaded into one end-of the valveproper and serves to fore when the ejector plate yis actuated by the4hydraulic motors 2|3, the plate 33 and Whatever material may beclinging thereto, will move downwardlyand forwardly'by gravity, withythe lower edge of the ejector. plate scraping along the inclined surfaceof the receiving .plate or moldboard 32. Inasmuch as the motors .2|3 aredouble act-- ing, they may bev reversed rapidly by means of controlvalves so as to give the plate 33 a -shaking or vibratory action todislodge material that may be sticking thereto. The gate 2|1 is.provided with spaced-apart parallel side plates 2|8,

42|!!` each closely/adjacent the inner walls f the s ide plates 26 asshown in Fig. 3. The upper edge 2| 9 of each of the side plates 2|8 maybe straight and approximately radial, but the rear edge is circular asindicated at 220 in Fig. 1. f

The lower forward edges of the gateN2|1 are connected Vto a `transverse'curved plate havingA dotted lines in Fig. 1. -are pivotally connected bymeans of self-aiming bearings to the side plates 26. Hydraulic motors`22|, 22|` maybe'locatedabove and outside ot the plane of the sideplates .26 under the protection of the lateral protecting coversor-shields 222as `shown in Fig. 3. The side`plates 2| 6 are con-` nectedbymeans of stub shafts 223 to the arms 224 and the.upper ends of thelatter are pivoted at 225 t0 the piston rods 226 hydraulic motors 22|.

of the reciprocating As the machine moves forward for the gatherf ing ofa load by means-oi the cutting blade. 30, the

latter is in a relatively flat position to make a deepcutl'inthe groundsurface, and the lower" edges .of the plates26 in advance-o1'Y the*bladen 30 'may be forced intothe ground surface by` close that'end ofthe cylindrical recess |19. The

' block 206 is provided withan extension 209 which L actionofthe bladeas it wedges intothe ground. That this can readily done may beunderstood` y from the fact that thebowl frame is entirely open inadvance of the cutting blade and at such time.. the gate 2|1 is inan'uppez' position. As the moldboard 32lls up with gathered material,the weight of such material is addedfto other. weight on the tractionwheels 36, thus increasing tractionof the power traction unit 21. J

As the rear portion ot the bowl lls with material, the gate 2|1 isgradually moved down by the a bythe power traction .unitl1, -I haveprovided a pusher frame 221 as shown in elevation in Fig.

nect the plates 229, as shown in Fig. 4.

225 having the co -misacylimiesv A push plate 239 -orbumper is provided`with by reason of an interiorjsp bowl frame,

operator'at his station operating the valve ,con- .trolleversillustratedl diagrammatically at 252 in Fig. 14. By reason of thearcuate contourat 220 v lat the rear edges of the side plates 2I2'of thevsate, the necessary power to move the gate' into.

and under the material being collected, is reduced. 1 In order to enablethe separate tractor t0 Pushlthe machine with more power than can be.exerted- 2 land in plan in Fig. 4. 'I'he frame 221 diverges forwardly1for a pivotal connection at 229 to bracketv plates `229extendingrearwardlyV from the axle housing.' A re'intorcingrod 299 may con-Between the cross-pieces 2l I, 222, shown in Fig. 4,is -mounted avbolt222, the lower end of which isshowninFlg. u A f .Connected .to the vrearendoi' thepusher'irame 221 by means of the upwardly and rexsu-wardlyvinclined bracket b rs 224, 224 is a bumper plate ur shown'in Fig. 4.Welded to the lower central portion ofthe bumper plate coupling members.231, having openings therein. which register with openings in thecoupling member 238. -The registering openings receive the coupling pin239. While the plate 298 may oscillate onthe vertical axis of the pin229, it is desirable that it shall not rotate on a longitudinalihorizontal axis. When a separate tractor with push plate engages thepush lplate .2SC-of Fig. 2,

the connection to the'push frame 221' isyielding Inorder totilt thebowlframe from theposi-v Q 243, 243- or the upper ends of the pistonrods.

242, 242. lAmple space is provided for the rods -242 to change theirinclinations relative to the as may be seen by-comparing Figs. 2and4.

j It should be' particularly noted that the'hy' draulic motors 240 arepivoted at theirA lower` ends at 24|,'24| on the spaced-apart links il,

plant or body framework the engine or cas- -ings containing the tramission gearing for :the engine. Likewise the parallel links 6I, 90 Iandthe parallel links 6|, 6| are connected .through the axle housing 51 tothe supporting frame 249 but not to any p art of the engine frame or anyof the casings carried thereby. This arrangement prevents any oi' thestresses and-strains.

due to the operation oi' the. machine, being' transmitted to such.castings of the power plant that may not be able to withstand suchloads.v

The axle housing 451 may' be xnale'oi steel and therefore fully capableotwithstanding all the 3 stresses and strains due to operation ofthe ma#chine including gathering. hauling and spread.-

' Fig. 14 is a piping'diagram for the control of the operation 'of thevarious hydraulic recipro- 'eating motors and the valve unit 244. Thepump 2 94 is connected'to the rear end of the crank l'shaft ofthe engineinthe positionshown in Figs.

2 and 4. A suction pipe 255 is connected' be tween .the pumpv 254 andthe -supply'v tank .256

located adjacent the operators station. .A return pipe 251 connects themanifold control valve 259s By means of the valve control leversv lvalve25s to the tank 25's. A supplv pipezss leads. 'from the pump.254 to themanifold-control l 26|, 262 and28l the hydraulic motors 213; 22|

and 242 may be operated' Thevalve levers 26|; 20

" station vas shown in Flg. 4. A high pressure Arelief 4valve lol-islocated between the supplyv pipe 292 and 293 are-located .adjacenttheopera'tors v 259 and the return pipe 281 and is adapted to draulic beopened in the' .direction of the arrow 264 when a predetermined-'maximumpressure' is reached.

shown in Fig. 14, the -reciprocating..hy

' tors 22|for operating the gate2l1,

are-conn cted in multiple so that -bothmotors are operatedsimultaneously ,under the control of the valve 292. In la similar mannerthe re ciprocating 'hydraulic mtprs m are operated.

in multiple to lift -the ejector plate 3,2 or let it descend, undercontrol of the valve 263." 'Alsov in' a similar manner, thereciprocating hydraulic motors 24|)A are operated'in` multiple under'control oi' the'valve 2B to control the tilting Aoi? 1 the earth carrier'orbowl frame 25 on the transl verse axis of the steering wheel unit 8|.

No valve is locatedat the voperators station.

however, for controlling the reciprocating hydraulie steering motbr I29. The valve mechanism 244 forv controlling motor |29 is attached tothe-'cylinde .o1 this motor as showrrin'Fig. 10 and the vca inne'ctionsbetween 4the operators .45 tion shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown insteering wheel- 42 and this valve mechanism 244 4are entirelymechanical. 'I'hese connectionsex- "tend alongone side of the scraperbowl or. car- 1 rier and are so ilexible that whether 'the carrier-mechanism for operating the valve mechanisnr' 244 may be actuated'withequal facility by manoperators station'for the motor |29 and when 6 9and are not 'connected to any part oi' the power 'l Uhu is in itsgathering position shown vin Fig. 1 or in its transportation positionshown in Fig. 5, thel ual rotation of the operators steering wheel 43.

It should also vbe noted thatwhen thel'valves 26|, 282 and 262 attheoperators'stationare u closed thehydraulic motors 2|3, 22| and 240 towhich these valves are'connected, will be locked Y in adjustedpositions, thus holding in adjusted positions the various parts to whichthe motors are 'conne`cted. The arrangement for the Ahydraulic motor |29is substantially different, however, since -there-isno controlling valveat the' the valve mechanism 244 is inneutrai position a no-1oad by-passis established for tree flow of the iiuidpressure medium, such asQiL-Irom the =supply 'pipe |65 through vthe'valve mechanism i' 244 tothe -return pipe |61. Power is thus conserved because pressure willnotbe built up to open and hold .open the relief valve '260 even againstmovement in either direction to hold the steering wheel unit rigidly inany adjusted position. This can readily beunderstood by referring toFig. l1 Where the piston |14 is shown in neutral position cutting offfrom the pipe |86 both the supply groove |8| and the exhaust groove |82.In the same view the piston |14 is in position to cut off the pipe |81from both supply and exhaust. The pipe |86 leads to the groove |88 whichis confined between the pistons |14 and |15. The pipe |81 leads tothegroove |9| which is confined between the pistons |13 and |14. Anytendency of the steering wheel unit to move the cylinder of thehydraulic motor |28 laterally will be completely blocked or resistedbecause hydraulic pressure on one side of the piston in the motor |29through the pipe |86 can extend no farther than the groove |88 and thespace between the pistons |14 and |15;

and because hydraulic pressure on the other side of the piston in themotor |29 through the pipe |81 can extend no farther than the groove |9|and the space between'the pistons |13 and |14.

When the deepest cuts are made it is preferred to use the intermediatesection 30 of the cutting blade projecting forwardly as shown in Fig. 3so that the transverse length of the cut will be reduced therebyreducing the necessary A power to push the machine forwardly. As statedabove, the additional tractoris employed either alone or with theassistance of the power traction unit 31 to operate the machine duringthe gathering of material by cutting the ground surface with thecutting, blade 30. If thecutting blade meets with particularly hardmaterial by angling the blade, thus breaking the cut.

The pushing frame remains substantially horizontal throughout all theoperations. That is to say, when the bowl frame is in its lowermostposition for the cutting blade to dig into the ground, the pushing frame227 is substantially horizontal and acts inalmost a direct line with thelower pair of parallel links 8|, 6I to secure maximum forward pushingeffect. 0f course, there is also a pushing effect through the upper pairof parallel links 6G, 68 because the pushing frame is connected to theaxle housing and the latter' is connected to not only the lower pair ofparallel links 6|, 6| but also to the upper pair of parallel links 80,G0. During the forward gathering operations by 'operation of the cuttingblade, the motors 2638 are locked in adjusted positions being.r doubelacting motors provided with valve mecha nism at 26| to lock the pistonstherein against movement in either direction. Irrespective of the depthof cut, the rear end portion of pushing frame 221 remains substantiallyhorizontal and the connections between the bowl frame and the axlehousing constitute a rigid structure which is effective to prevent anybuckling upwardly of the bowl frame relatively to the power tractionunit 31 during cutting and gathering operations. The actual pushingoperations through the links 68 and 6| are forwardly and downwardly soas to effectively hold the cutting blade to its work.

C That the rear end portion of the push frame 221 remains substantiallyhorizontal can' readily be en by comparing Figs. 2 and 5 because in thetter view even when the bowl frame is moved to its transportingposition, the rear end portion l of 'the push frame 221 still remainssubstantially horizontal, the forward portion 221 being d'ownwardlyinclined.

The earth mover shown in the accompanying drawings being self-propelled,can whenever desired, be used without an extra pushing tractor forscraping or gathering work and Whenever the chine iorwardlyat eightdiiererit speeds and rearwardly at two different speeds and thereforethe spreading operations may be performed by movingthe machine forwardlyor rearwardly. When moved forwardly the adjusted height of the rear endof the bowl frame willl enable the cutting blade 30 to act as astrike-01T` blade to regu-- late the depth of the spread material, andwhen the machine is moved rearwardly the lower edge of the gate 2|1 maybe adjusted to various elevations to act as a strike-oir device toregulate the depth of the spread material.'

During gathering operations cr spreading operations of light characterthe rods IM and |48 may be detached and steering effected entirely bymanual power exerted on| the steering wheel 43 and the mechanicalconnections between the same and the steering wheel unit. Such manualsteei'- ing is facilitated by reasonlof the fact that the steeringwheels are spread apart and can roll in a circle on the axis of thefront steering post 82. However. if such steering operations with therocls Mft |49l detached, are attempted over rough ground having variousdepressions therein, the steering wheel unit may be suddenly lurched outof the control of' the operator even to such an extent as to blockforward movement of the machine.

It is therefore much preferred to use the hydraulic motor |28 whenoperations over rough groundy are being carried on, not only to securehydraulic power operation of the steering unit so that al1 the operatorneed do is to operate the various valve devices, but also to prevent anyllurching of the steering wheel unit when it runs into a hole ordepression. It should `be'understood that any such lurching tendency ofthe i steering wheel unitfwill be completely resisted by the motor |29because only the hydraulic pressureiinedium in this motor can eifectmov'ement thereof in either direction. The hydraulic pressure inthemotor |29 is always 'so much as to prevent lurehing back pressure ofthe steering work of steering be assumed by the hydraulic motor |29so-the operator may continue to dcvote his attention primarily to thescooping o'. gathering yoperations and the dumping and .spreading orleveling operations, for long periods of time `with littlefatigue, theoperation of the machine will be reviewed. f

In the first placev the'operator by means of the valve 26| (Fig. le)-may control the operation of l the reciprocating motors 240 to let thescraper bowl or,carrier 25 down from its transportatin position in Fig.to its operating position in Figs. l and 2 placed end to end. By meansof the valve 252 (Fig. 14) the operator may control the lateralhydraulic motors 22E td move the gate 2I1 to its wide open position. Bymeans ofthe valve 263 he may cause the hydraulic motors 2I3 to hold theejector plate in its uppermost position at the back of the carrier frameas shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

Now upon application of a separate tractor to the push frame 221,pushingforces will be exerted through the downwardly inclined portion 221 asshown in Fig. 2, on the brackets 229 and through the adjacent portion ofthe axle housing 51 onto the downwardly inclined and `forwardlyextending. links 3i to the bottomof the scraper bowl frame 25. At thesame time, the operation of the power traction unit will exert'pushingforces from the -aule housing 5l through the links 68 and 6i.

These links are both downwardly extending when asvaovo move-ment of theejector plate 33 a short distance.

Upon restoration ofthe ejector 33 to its rearmost position the weightthereof is ample to assure movement in the proper direction. This isparticularly true when the pivot point 2H is not moved forwardly beyonda plane extending through the pivots 2 it and 2 i3. In Fig. 2 atransverse plane through the pivots 2M and-2l@ is to I the left of thepivot 2i l. The pivot 2li should be kept to the right of such plane asviewed in Fig, 2, or at least not permitted to move to the 1left or suchplane unless the plate 33 is relatively heavy. If the plate 33 is to berelatively light in weight, abutments may be provided on the inner wallsof the end plates 23, 2t of the bowl frame; each abutment being inposition to be engaged by the adjacent edge of the gate 33 when thelatter is to be moved back from its most forward position.

' One of such abutments is illustrated at 233 in Fig.

the cutting blade 33 is in ground surface cutting position. Thehydraulic motors 240 serve as links 36 when the separate tractor is usedin addition to the traction unit 31. As shown in Fig. 2a the links 33and 8l clear the outside faces of the frame 263 when these links aremoved from their positions shown in Fig. 2 to their positions shown inFig. 5. a

When gathering operations are to be effected the gate is opened to aminimum extent. 'That is, the gate is only partially opened so that asthe material enters the bowl orcarrier onto the plate 42 it will moveupwardly and roll forwardlyY onto the gate. The gate is kept thuspartially open until the material is approximately at the upper edge 2I9 of the side plates of the gate. The scooping v operations are such asto enable the carrier to be made relatively deep thereby reducing theoverall length of the machine. When the carrier has been filled, thegate may be gradually closed before the carrier is adjusted to its upperposition for transportation to the location where the material is to bespread.

The hauling of the illled carrier may be lected by means of the tractionunit 31 without the use of the separate tractor. While being thushauled,

the rear end ofthe carrier is elevated as shown in Fig. 5, with vthegate 211 closed and the ejector plate 33 still held in its rearuppermost position.

However, should the ground surface not afford 2. Upon expansion of themotor .2 i3, if the ejector 33 starts toswing clockwise it will engagesuchA abutments and slide upwardly along the same thus assuring properrestoration of the ejector 33 .to its'position shown in dotted lines inFig. 2.

However, by limiting the stroke of the piston rod 2l2 the extent towhich the .ejector plate 33 moves forward maybe limited to such positionthat the ejector can never vbe tilted in the wrong direction evenwithout the abutments 245. With the presence of the abutments 245 theextent of forward movement of the rejector may be increased and theplate 33 made of less weight.

Reverting to the steering post 82 shown in Fig.

6 it should benoted that the opposing thrust roller bearings 88 and 89serve to lock the steering head v.

in xed relation to the axis oi the rotary steering post 82. The lowerroller bearing rac/e 268 surrounds ,the post-82 and rests on'top of thecasting 83 at the upper edge of the tapered opening through the latter.The inner race 269 iits against the lowerannular shoulder 218 formed bythe inner ring 92. Between this ring 92' and the post 82 is a lubricantseal 21|. Another lubricant seal 212 nts between the lowermostinner edgeof the tubular section 92 and the upperouter section of the casting 83as shown in Fig; 6.

that all up and down movements of the steering wheel unit 8| areimparted to 'the steering head sufficient traction for heavy loads inthe carrier,` a separate tractor may be added effectively since l* therear end portion of the push frame 221 sti remains horizontal as shownin Fig. .5.

When lspreading is to be 4eiected the gate 2|1 is gradually opened tolet the material out onto the ground surface. Theplate 32 is rathersteep as shownin Fig. 5 so that if the materialis dry it will fall outby gravity, The depth of thematerial spread may be regulated byadjustment in his elevation oi? 'the cutting blade 30 to act asl a ystrike-off device.

Release of the material from above the plate 32;

' particularly if wet, may be facilitated by forward At the upper end ofthe steering post 82 th inner roller bearing race 213 is held in placeby u the plate 214 and thecap screw 216. A ring 216 holds the outer race211 in place. A lubricant seal 218 is located between the ringl 216 andthe Thelring 218 -is bolted at 219219 to l post 82.

thel head section 9|. -A detachable cover plate 280 encloses the roller.thrust bearing 89 as shown in Fig. 6.` l

It can readily be seen byv referring to this view '90 and that theforward end of the earth carrier together with its load ofgatheredmaterial are elciently supported through the `goose necksteering head 98 on the steering-wheel unit without interferingk withthe? hydraulically operated steering mechanism located in such steeringhead and under the cover plates 21, 21 as shown in dotted lines in Fig.3.

w Obviously those skilled iny the art may makevarious changes in thedetails and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit andscope of the Yinvention as' dened .by the claims hereto appended, andIftherefore wish notto be closed.

Having thus described and shown an embodirestricted to the preciseconstruction herein` 'disment of my invention, what I desireto secure byletters Patent of the United States is: v

l. An earthv mover comprising the combination with a scraper bowl, of asteering wheel unit having horizontal and vertical axes, mechanism for4carrying the frontend of said bowl on said steering wheel unit fortilting movements relatively to the latter on said horizontal axis, thesteering wheel unit itself being swingable on said vertical axis, awheeled supporting unit, means between' said wheeled supporting unit andtherear end of said scraper bowl for eiectlng such tilting move-v ments,a i'luid pressure motor .on the front end portion of said scraper bowloperatively connected to said steering wheel unit, and mechanismsupunit, means for supporting the rear end oi' said scraper bowl on saidsupporting unit, said scraper bowl being mounted between said steeringwheel l unit and said supporting unit for tilting adjustment relative tothe supporting unit, fluid-pres-V sure motor operated mechanism mountedon said bowl and operatively connected to said steering wheel unit, andmeans extending from ,theV operators position on said supporting unit tosaid fluid-pressure motor operated mechanism to control the latter toeffect operation of saidsteering wheel unit. Y

3.' An earth mover comprising the combination with an earth carrier, ofa steering wheel unit, a..

goose neck steering head secured rigidly to said 5. An earth movercomprising the combination with a steering wheel unit, of a scraper bowll having its front end supported on said steering wheel unit, asupportingunit rearwardly of said between the latter and vsaid steeringwheel unit, i

valve mechanism attached to said motor for controlling the same, and.means -for operating ported in part on said bowl and extending fromsaid valve mechanism from saidsupporting unit. 6. An earth movercomprising 'the combina-- tion with a steering unit, of al scraper bowlhav- -ing its front end supported on said steering unit, a unit for`supporting the rear end of said scraper bowl for tilting adjustment 'ofthe bowl on the transverse axis of said steering unit, a nuid pressuremotor mounted on said scraper cowl, actuating connections between saidhuid pressure motor and said steering unit, and' means for controllingthe operation of said motor trom a station on saidsupporting unit.

,'1. An earth mover comprising the combination with a bowl Irame, or asteering unit at one end oI the bowl frame, asupporting unit con# nectedto the other end of the bowl frame, an operators station on saidsupporting unit, means between saidsupporting unit and said bowl frame`for tilting the latter on-l the steering unit as a pivot, anintermediate lever pivoted to said bowl frame `to rockrelativeiythereto, a. drag link extending. from said lever toward that end o1' thebowl frame `where the steering unit is A located, an additional draglink extending from carrier, mechanism carried by said head f or actu-`ating said steering wheel unit, a supporting unit lrearwardly of saidcarrier, supporting connec ytionsbetween the rear end of said earthcarrier and the front end of said supporting unit for carrying the rearend of said earth carrier at ad. justed elevations, a -fluid pressuremotor on the front end of said carrier and operatively connected to saidsteering wheel unit, and' means ex' tending from a station on said'supporting unit along one side of said carrier and along the front endof the latter to said motor for controlling the steering operationsthereof irrespective of the position to which the rear end of the earthcarrier y is adjusted relative to said supporting unit.

4. An earth mover comprising the combination with a scraper bowl, of asteering wheel unit for carrying the front end of Saidscraperbowl, asupporting unit, adjustable mechanism between the rear end otsaid bowland the front endof said said lever toward .the other end of said bowltrame, a iluid pressure motor on said bowl frame, actuating-connectionsbetween'said motor and said steering unit, valve mechanism forcontrolling said motor, actuating vmeans extending@- irom saidadditional drag link to said'operators station, and additionalactuatingmeans between said mst-named drag link and said valve mechanism,'the construction and arrangement; being such that irrespectiveof. the elevation ofthe rear end of said 'bowl frame relative to saidsupporting unit actuation of said Inst-named drag link from saidoperators `station will' operate said valve mechanism to control saidsteering unit.`

v A8. An earth mover'comprising the combina.-

tion with a bowl, of a steering unit at oneend l'or' said bowl,' asupporting unitat the other end or' the bowl, an operatorsstation onsaid. supsupp'oting unit for` supporting the rear end of the 'scraperbowl at various elevations relative. to the ground surfacethe solesupport for the front end of the scraper bowl being said steering wheelunit and the sole support for the rear end of said scraper bowl beingthe frontend portion-of the supporting'unit and the said'adjustablesupport' ing mechanism, the scraper bowl occupying the space betweensaid steering, unit and the front endv l of saidl supporting luninahydraulic motor confnecte'd between said scraper bowl and said steer-`ing Aunit, valve mechanism for controlling ,said hydraulic motor, andmeans extending from. an operators station on said supporting unit'alongsaid scraper bowl to said valve mechanism to operate O the latterirrespective of the adjusted elevation of the s craperbowl.-

porting unit, means between the supporting unit and the-*bowl fortilting the latter on the transverse axis of said steering unit, anintermediate steering lever pivoted'to one side of the bowl to rockrelatively thereto, a drag link extending from said lever toward thatend of the v bowl where the steering unit is located, an additional draglink' extending `from said lever toward the i other end ci the bowl,atluid pressure motor on said bowl, lactuating connections Vbetween saidmotor and said steering unit, valve mechanism for controlling saidmotor, `means operatively connecting said rst named drag link to saidvalvemechanism, actuating connections extending from the 4operatofsstation on said supporting unit to said additional drag link, and aconnection between said bowl and said motor to umt holding position.

cause operation `of the latter to automatically restore said valvemechanism to initial steering 9. -An earth mover fcomprising thecombination with a two wheel\power traction unit tiltable on the axis ofthe supporting wheels and comprising an axle housing; a pusher frameconnected to said power traction unit including a pivotal connection tosaid` axle housing to sup-- port the rear end portion of said pusherframe in horizontal position for engagement by a sep-` arate pushingtractor, the forward portion 'of said pusher frame being downwardlyinclined from its rear horizontal portion to said pivotal connection,an. earth carrier,front supporting means for said carrier, a pluralityot links connecting said axle housing to the lower rear portion of saidcarrier, and a plurality of extensible uid pressure motors connectedbetween some of said links and the' upper rear portion of said carrierto adjust the elevation of the latter, said motors sewing as links andserving to co-operate with the aforesaidl plurality of links and theirconnections between the axle housing and said carrier to maintain saidpusher frame with its rear 4end portion substantiallyl horizontal andits forward portion downwardlyinclined from said 'horizontal' portionfor the various elevated positions of the carrier.

lby gravity while the lowermost edge of said ejector plate scrapesdownwardly and forwardly along said nioldboardplate, means comprisingfluid-pressure motor mechanism pivotally connected between the rear endof said carrier frame and the back oi' said ejector to pull downwardlyon the latter to assist the aforesaid gravity action in forcing materialout of the rear portion of said carrier frame, and abutment mechanism onsaid carrier frame in position to be engaged by said ejector to limitmovement of the latter relatively to said carrier frame when saidejector is being restored to initial position,

the construction and arrangement being such that when saidduid-,pressure motor mechanism is contracted the ejector plate is pulleddown for forward movement toward said opening and when said motorlmechanism is expanded restoration of said ejectorl plate will becompelled I' by said abutment mechanism.

CECIL E. PATTERSON.

